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Zk Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Axiom

ZK Proof Engineer

New York, NY · On-site +1

$125K - $250K/yr

The Role We are looking for a ZK Proof Engineer who will implement and optimize cutting-edge cryptographic code for zero-knowledge proof generation. You will be responsible for building systems to ...

Axiom

Forward Deployed Engineer

New York, NY · On-site +1

$125K - $200K/yr

We are building ZK-enabled products using OpenVM and supporting teams building on OpenVM. The Role We are looking for a Forward Deployed Engineer to help customers maximize the value they get out of ...

Succinct

General Application

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Our core product is SP1, a breakthrough zkVM (zero-knowledge virtual machine) that enables developers to generate ZK proofs from normal code (like Rust) with state-of-the-art performance. To support ...

Axiom

Distributed Systems Engineer

New York, NY · On-site +1

$125K - $250K/yr

We are building ZK-enabled products using OpenVM and supporting teams building on OpenVM. The Role We are looking for a distributed systems engineer to join a startup using zero-knowledge proofs to ...

De Circle

Fermah - Solidity & Rust Engineer

New York, NY · On-site +1

$63 - $84.50/hr

She has been designing and building ZK for over 15 years and has a PhD in cryptography from UCLA. We are building a world-class team that values delivering results with excellence and empathy. We are ...

Renegade

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA

About The Role We're looking for one systems-focused engineer to join our team of four. On a team ... About You You're excited by hard systems problems: trading infrastructure, ZK, distributed systems ...

Renegade

Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About The Role We're looking for one systems-focused engineer to join our team of four. On a team ... About You You're excited by hard systems problems: trading infrastructure, ZK, distributed systems ...

Snarkify

Senior Software Engineer - CUDA

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$144K - $189.80K/yr

We empower developers by providing robust infrastructure and user-friendly tools, enabling them to ... Room for continuous growth and development in the ZK field.

Snarkify

Senior Software Engineer - CUDA

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$144K - $189.80K/yr

We empower developers by providing robust infrastructure and user-friendly tools, enabling them to ... Room for continuous growth and development in the ZK field.

Atria Group LLC

Java Developer

Irving, TX

$49 - $63.50/hr

JSF2, ZK, EXT-JS, JavaScript * Experience with CentOS or RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) * Has the ability to read a detailed project description from the customer and determine the tasks needed to ...

GainAm

Java/ J2EE Developer job

Hicksville, NY · On-site

$110K/yr

... ZK, Hibernate is must Experience with HTML, CSS, jQuery is must Experience with OOPS Concepts ... AWS Certified Developer preferred Preferred education: Typically a Bachelor's Degree or global ...

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Zk Engineer information

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$36.5K

$107.3K

$137.5K

How much do zk engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for zk engineer in the United States is $107,282.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $136,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Zk Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Zk Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, cryptography, and mathematics, often supported by experience with zero-knowledge proofs and blockchain technologies. Familiarity with programming languages like Rust or Go, zk-SNARK/zk-STARK frameworks, and cryptographic libraries is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and clear communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and addressing complex engineering challenges. These skills are essential to ensure robust, secure, and scalable implementations of zero-knowledge protocols within blockchain and privacy-focused systems.

What are some common challenges Zk Engineers face when implementing zero-knowledge proofs in production systems?

Zk Engineers often encounter challenges related to optimizing the performance and scalability of zero-knowledge proof systems, as these cryptographic protocols can be computationally intensive. Ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and maintaining security standards while integrating new proof systems can also be complex. Additionally, staying updated with rapidly evolving zero-knowledge technologies and frameworks requires continuous learning and adaptability. Collaborative problem-solving with developers, security teams, and product managers is key to overcoming these obstacles and successfully deploying robust solutions.

What is a Zk Engineer?

A Zk Engineer is a specialist who works with zero-knowledge (ZK) cryptography, a technology that enables one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any additional information. Zk Engineers typically design, develop, and implement zero-knowledge protocols and applications, often for blockchain, privacy, and security use cases. Their work involves cryptographic research, writing efficient code (often in languages like Rust or Solidity), and collaborating with other engineers to integrate ZK systems into larger platforms. This role is crucial for advancing privacy and scalability solutions across decentralized technologies.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, data engineering, or blockchain engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. These roles often require expertise in programming languages, cloud platforms, or cryptography, and may include bonuses or stock options that contribute to total compensation.

What is the difference between Zk Engineer vs Blockchain Developer?

AspectZk EngineerBlockchain Developer
Required CredentialsKnowledge of zero-knowledge proofs, cryptography, programming skillsProficiency in blockchain platforms, smart contract development, cryptography
Work EnvironmentResearch-focused, cryptography labs, blockchain companiesSoftware development teams, blockchain startups, fintech firms
Industry UsageSpecialized in privacy-preserving tech, zero-knowledge protocolsDeveloping decentralized applications, smart contracts, blockchain solutions

While both roles involve blockchain technology and cryptography, Zk Engineers specialize in zero-knowledge proofs and privacy solutions, whereas Blockchain Developers focus on building decentralized applications and smart contracts across various blockchain platforms.

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Zk Engineer jobs near you

ZK Proof Engineer

Axiom

New York, NY • On-site, Remote

$125K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

About Us
Axiom is using zero-knowledge proofs to enable new types of verifiable and private software applications, starting with crypto and fintech. We are a small but incredibly strong team backed by the best investors in crypto. We're looking for exceptional people who are excited to work on challenging and impactful problems in a fast-paced environment. Our office is in NYC and working in person in NY is our strong preference, but we're open to remote candidates as well.
We recently released OpenVM, a performant and modular zkVM framework built for customization and extensibility. OpenVM allows developers to verify the correct execution of arbitrary computer programs in a flexible and performant way. We are building ZK-enabled products using OpenVM and supporting teams building on OpenVM.
The Role
We are looking for a ZK Proof Engineer who will implement and optimize cutting-edge cryptographic code for zero-knowledge proof generation. You will be responsible for building systems to interface between low-level computer systems like the RISC-V ISA, compiler frameworks like LLVM, and database backends and connecting them with cutting-edge zero-knowledge proof systems. The role will involve both optimizing ZK provers and implementing novel ZK circuits. Your work will require making design choices to enable rapid development of secure and efficient systems.
We are looking for someone with strong engineering design skills, the ability to work across the stack, and a security mindset. We also value the ability to make pragmatic technology choices which empower our small team without adding too much overhead.
Who you are
  • You have a strong background in math/cryptography, or strong problem-solving skills and interest in zero-knowledge proofs.
  • You have proficiency in Rust, C/C++, or a similarly performant backend language. We work primarily in Rust.
  • You are extremely detail oriented and have a security mindset.
  • You've worked on challenging software projects and have an eye for performance.
  • You're a clear communicator and value collaboration.
  • You have a strong bias towards action.
  • You have an extremely strong work ethic.

Bonuses
  • You have experience with compiler frameworks like LLVM or MLIR.
  • You've worked with aspects of low level computer architecture like RISC-V or programmed FGPAs or other custom hardware.
  • You have experience with database backends, including experience with query planning or low level query engines.
  • You've done research in mathematics, theoretical computer science, or theoretical physics.
  • You have experience with low-level details of Ethereum

We welcome diverse backgrounds. Some non-traditional profiles that may be a good fit include high-frequency trading, math/physics/CS academia, and hardware engineering.
Why join us
  • You'll be one of the earliest employees with ownership to make key technical/product decisions.
  • You'll be working on groundbreaking tech that has the potential to be a key piece of infrastructure for the crypto industry.
  • You'll receive a competitive salary with equity.
  • You will work with and receive mentorship from an exceptional team.

Our Team
Our founders Yi Sun and Jonathan Wang met while studying math at Harvard and have been working on ZK since 2021. Together, they wrote some of the most performant ZK circuits for elliptic curve cryptography and Ethereum data reads before starting Axiom.
Before Axiom, Yi was a professor at UChicago Statistics and did a math PhD at MIT. He was previously an advisor for Gauntlet and worked at an HFT startup from inception to profitable trading. Jonathan published number theory research in top math journals and did a math PhD at UChicago.
The rest of our small but incredibly strong team includes alums of Applied Intuition, Coinbase, Color, Neon, Google, and Perplexity as well as math / CS PhDs and IMO / IPhO / Codeforces winners. We look forward to working with you!

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